U.S. Strategic Command systems detected and tracked what officials said was a North Korean submarine missile launch yesterday at 10:28 p.m. EDT, according to a news release issued by Stratcom today.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command determined the missile launch -- presumed to be a KN-11 submarine-launched ballistic missile -- did not pose a threat to North America, the release said.
The launch occurred off the coast of Sinpo, North Korea, and systems indicated that it fell over the Sea of Japan.
"The men and women of [Stratcom], NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Pacific Command remain vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and are fully committed to working closely with our Republic of Korea and Japanese allies to maintain security," the release said.
Stratcom's mission is to conduct global operations in synchronization with other combatant commands and appropriate U.S. government agencies to detect, deter and prevent strategic attacks against the U.S., its allies, and partners, and to be prepared to deliver warfighting capability to defend the nation.